My Short Film Package

My Short Film Package

                                                                    Towards Victory

                                                            https://youtu.be/g8AzA9ZNm-I

Website for Towards Victory

Towards Victory Website

The Post Card

Critical Questions

 Critical Questions

How do your products represent social groups or issues?

 

They represent the online video gamer social group, as well as the miniature smaller groups that are defined by the device video gamers play on. In the internet, the distinction of computer and console gamers is made, and they are often talked about together. To many people, what device you play video games matters quite a lot as there are stereotypes associated with each social group. This can cause issues because arguments can be frequent as well as pushing for game developers to create changes within their game to satisfy the different needs for each social group.

My products represent these social groups and issues because the theme for my short film is unity between computer and console gamers on one of the most popular games in the world. Their can be a gap between performance of playing games on controller (console) and keyboard and mouse (computer), and in my short film this problem goes away once teamwork steps in. Both social groups of video game players, specifically on Fortnite, are represented through their issues and how they can come together to reach success in my short film, “Towards Victory”. Many players simply want to have fun and relax, and when these social group issues between console and computer gamers arise less often, these players can be satisfied, which has been represented in my short film.

 

How do the elements of your production work together to create a sense of ‘branding’?

 

            The elements of my production work together to create a sense of ‘branding’ because they all work together to create a theme. The film, postcard, and website are all geared towards an action-packed theme of teamwork and unity. The theme may not be unique, though my film definitely is. My short film is unique as it is aimed from teamwork from a video game perspective with personal connections. The characters are me and my brother, which we have personal connection that will overcome an obstacle in the video game world.

            Regarding the editing, I have created a film that matches its genre, action. The action in my film through editing is unique as the growth of Andreas, a main character. The post card design as well is colorful, and it pops out. Matching the needs of the game is what we do to win the tournament in my film eventually. It focuses on main points in the games so that the audience can be directed to the important aspects of my film.

            Next, my filming elements work together by pulling in so many different types of shots and unique perspectives so that my film really looks amazing. The time it took to film is reflected in the quality of the recordings, the uniqueness of the majority of the film, and even my logo. My logo I think is really unique and it highlights the main aspect of my film, teamwork. Together, the elements of my production work together by supporting and providing uniqueness to the entire short film package.

 

How do your products engage with the audience?

 

            My products engage with the audience by keeping themselves interesting the film. There are no sudden jumps in action with the characters, which keeps the audience engaged with the plot. Also, through the possible appeal to video games, especially Fortnite, from the audience, my short film engages amazing in this scenario as the center of action in it revolves around them.

            With my postcard, the design of it is very interesting and colorful. It meets the eye as something unique, which makes the audience engage with reading its contents. I made sure to add some meanings behind its design so that the audience has something to think about when inspecting it. The editing of the postcard is very obvious, so it does not look completely clean. With the editing, the postcard’s designs pop out and clearly provides the information about the short film’s premiere so that the audience can still be interested in it.

            My website on the other hand, is a well-built and fun site to sort through. It immediately engages with the audience on the home page with many interesting things to read and view. Many of the pages have important information regarding the cast and the film. Especially with the reviews page, the audience engages with the reviews because the reviews come from them. They can explore other people’s opinions on my film and studio and create their own opinions as well. Exploring the creation and design process of my short film can spark some attention to some of the websites’ pages.

 

How did your research inform your products and the way they use or challenge conventions?

My research informed my products to flow along with the action genre by matching it with its typical conventions. Through research, I found out so many awesome camera angles and shots that really match the action genre, so my film could use conventions of this genre. I also looked at conventions for editing for the action genre, which truly brought all my clips and recordings together by connecting to each other well.

My products mostly use conventions, though with my postcard and some of my edits in my film challenge conventions. The postcard really shows off a lot of color and different feelings that do not match the intense advertising for the action genre. The edits as well in my film, specifically the title sequences, do not come in an intense way though they simply come out with nice coloring to focus more on the action at hand in my film.

My website also has needed research for it to be informed and my research did this through a process of selection. I needed to put important information on my website and with research, I could understand how I should display it. I display it in an organized and interesting manner that is sure to bring attention. My website does not look so bold as it would usually be for action genre conventions, though it matches the overall feelings. My research informed my products to be in sync by giving me the necessary ideas to do so.

Significant Editing Progress

Significant Editing Progress

   Yesterday, I blogged about my filming progress. While filming, I have been editing as well and I have made significant progress with it. I currently have around 1-2 minutes of recordings that I edited to make sense, to be in order, and to look great. I have not edited in many transitions, and so far many of them are cuts. Though with my work so far, if all of my recordings are put in place, many transitions will be completed. My filming progress is currently looking good, which means my editing progress also has to look good..

   As I have blogged yesterday about it, I am using the editing software called "Shotcut", and it is a very professional one indeed. My nearly-completed film will be done soon, most likely by Sunday. Regarding my music, I have made significant progress with fixing the copyright issues with my film's soundtrack. I found two non-copyrighted songs that fit very well with my film. I have used a copyrighted song in some of my edited recordings and I loved it, though I need permission to use it. I have taken the correct steps to contact the potentially correct labeling companies for this song. So far one of them has responded and directed me to the actual labeling company that owns the song. I have emailed the correct company today. I am still hoping for a response that will grant me access to use their song in my film. I also made sure to contact the producer of one of the non-copyrighted songs I will be using. The producer replied surprisingly, and relatively fast as well. The email the producer sent is proof of my permission to use their song in my film. My progress on editing is going well and smoother than at first. I am estimating that I have around 8 hours of filming and editing completed so far, and I will continue to work hard to finish my short film, "Towards Victory"! I shall blog with more information on my progress again tomorrow, bye!

(A screenshot of the name of my most recent work in Shotcut)

   

Filming Progress Check 2

Filming Progress Check 2

    In the past few days, I have started filming the majority of the in-game Fortnite content. Right now, I have almost all of the clips ready. So far I have edited over half of my recordings so far. It has taken me over 5 or 6 hours to film this much. The quality of the recordings look great and all of them look relatively smooth. When I first started filming, I used Twitch to stream the game and then save the stream. The quality of the stream was not good so I decided to look for other programs to use. I tested Geforce Experience and it affected my game negatively. After some time, I came across OBS Studio on the internet. I have downloaded it before, though I deleted it because I didn't know how to use it. When I got it again, it was honestly very easy to use. I streamed with it, and to my surprise its performance was surprisingly amazing. I then tested out recording with it and with some changes done to the settings, it worked fine. It could record in 1080p and 60 FPS nicely. My biggest step in my filming process spanned over three days. I could only record after school and with editing, I could not film for too long.

    Yesterday, I started filming within the game's built in replay system. It could replay many recent games I have played and I could control my perspective to any place at any time in those games. It has given me some amazing shots in-game. I still used OBS Studio to record parts of the replays as well. So far I am making great progress in filming and I hope that I will finish by tomorrow! I will blog again when this happens!

                                                (A folder of many of my in-game recordings)

Social Media Progress Check 2

 Social Media Progress

   I have so far posted yet again on social media. I only am logged in on my studio's Instagram on my phone, and nothing else. I posted again on the Instagram with another picture. I posted a picture of my brother who will be the second main actor for my short film. As I was thinking of ideas to innovate my social media pages, I was thinking of what Fortnite does on their social media. Fortnite gives a bunch of teasers and foreshadows of their future content in their games and social media posts. They use clever patterns and ideas to do this so people can be more amazed by it. I want to create something similar in my social media posts by making a pattern with a few of them. I want to make it geared towards my film and how I want its mood to be. Other than this there has not been more work on my film. I mean I did pull of an awesome clip with my other friend earlier in Fortnite, which shows that I still have the skills to win games in the Battle Royale mode.

   I have more thoughts I am willing to be put into action, now focusing on YouTube. I want to release a teaser trailer, which does not need a lot of clips from the actual film. I can just use some custom made clips not going into the film and some from my Fortnite gameplay to produce a suspenseful teaser for my film. Producing hype in the audience is a good way to keep them wanting to watch your film. I need to log into my other social media accounts on my phone so I can go more mobile. My Twitter account on my phone is under a similar name to my official studio account. Facebook only allows one account to log in on mobile, so I might now switch to my studio's account on my phone. So far things are going great with my short film and social media progress. I hope with the start of a happy new year, all things including my film may go well.

Screenshot of my studio's Instagram page

Filming Progress Check 1

 Filming Progress Check 1

    Today, my power cable for my monitor arrived today. It came in a very simple box and I took the cables out right away. I tried plugging the cable into my old monitor. As I had hoped for, the cable fits and my monitor is now being used by my brother. I am glad it works again and that we have the necessary equipment to start filming in my room. Clearly we need to set up a date and my environment so it can look professional. I also do need my Fortnite content recorded first because the content will be displayed on our screens when we film in my room. The Fortnite content should take maybe one or two weeks to get all the recordings completed. School will be starting on January 4th and on school days there is not a lot of time I can be playing games.

    Also, I played today with my brother who will be being my duo partner. We tested our recordings, and they look fine. We clipped both of our recordings. I have downloaded both of our recordings of one of the 1v1 fights we did in game to practice. The recordings could look much better. I don't want to ask too much of my brother, though I want for both of us to get a free screen-recorder that records in higher qualities. I could definitely tell that our customized stream settings did not appear in the actual stream. The 1080p and 60 FPS I had put for my stream did not look as well as I expected it to. The video's resolution looked pretty low and the recording had drops in the 60 FPS I wanted. I am glad we can actually record this part of the film easily. It only took me and him to clip this part of the pre-edited film in 15 minutes. Of course when we actually get into public matches, it will take longer. With practice, we can pull off the clips we need without that many problems. I will again blog again tomorrow, see you soon on Happy New Years!

                                             Me and my brother's practice duel in Fortnite (1V1)

Social Media Improvements

 Social Media Improvements

    Today, I figured it would be a great idea to work on the studio's social media. I decided to post a picture of myself, one of the two main actors, on the studio's Instagram, nirascreationhub. This is my first post on there and providing more content to my audience is a great way to connect better with them. I would have been blogging about my monitor more today, but unexpectedly I realized that my new power cable will be coming tomorrow. I have checked a few times out my door expecting a delivery today. I also have come across the absence of a logo for the film. Some films have their own logo, and it would look nice for my film to have one as well. Also the studio's logo needs a new profile picture on social media because it does not look professional enough in my opinion. Overall, my Instagram is looking better, though I also have to start Tweeting more and posting on Facebook. I will post videos on YouTube of things like the teaser trailer, trailer, and maybe a few clips of the film. YouTube is the social media account that I will be posting the least on for my film.

    Next, I have also worked on my website today. Since I posted a picture of myself on Instagram, I put a similar picture up on my studio's website. On the page "Cast and Crew", I put pictures of both myself and my brother on there. We are both the main actors for the film and we both have important roles in the studio. I filled out a description for both of us and we both have our own personal quotes listed there as well. Since the last time I worked on the website was a while ago, I shall work more on the social medias to make my connection to my audience stronger. To my surprise, my website has received interactions. There have been exactly 34 traffic cases in the month of December, which makes it seem like people are getting interested in my film. This is great news, which shows that my work is being noticed by people. My studio's social media will be having more content soon and I will blog yet again tomorrow, see you soon!