CCR Ideas!

 Im actually pretty excited for this blog as I already knew my ideas the second a CCR was mentioned!

If you're not sure yet, in this blog I'll be talking about my CCR ideas and how I will do them, for example: A podcast, guided presentation, a video, etc..!

---------

For my CCR I want to do something a little more creative instead of just doing a slideshow or a normal presentation.

My idea is to make it look like different interview situations where I’m being asked questions about my project,

For CCR questions #1 and #2 (by recommendation from my teacher) I plan on doing a video podcast style interview. 

These questions are more about explaining ideas like how my product represents social groups and how it engages audiences and could be distributed 

since they don’t really require a lot of photos or visual examples I think a podcast format works well for them as well as seems really fun to do as I get to incorporate my friends, making it less boring for Cambridge to grade

For the setup I plan on rearranging my room so it looks less like a bedroom and more like a podcasr filming space. I’ll probably move my bed to use the blank wall behind it, take down the many posters I have up, and organize the background so it looks more like a small podcast studio

For example, this podcast although i'm not familiar with it, I really like the simple and "homey" background it has!

 I also plan on using microphones so it feels more realistic. Two of my friends will act as the interviewers and they’ll ask me questions about my project while we record the conversation,

 (like they are the owners of the podcast)

For the other CCR questions I want to do something a bit different and more visual. 

My idea is to film it like a red carpet interview at an award show where I pretend that my film opening won an award for best film opening. 

Reporters will be asking me questions while I’m walking on the “red carpet”, flashing lights for cameras, and paparazzis! (dream come true)

During this part I’ll carry around photos from my production and show them while answering questions about the project

At one point one of the reporters could even say something like “excuse me! excuse me! do you just always carry around photos of your production?” 

and I would pause, look back, and just respond with “yes”. 

It’s meant to be a little funny but still allows me to show the images while explaining parts of the project.

the goal is to make the CCR feel more creative and interesting instead of just answering questions in a basic boring format

the podcast interview will focus more on discussion and explanation while the red carpet interview will allow me to show photos and talk about specific moments from the production, so when it comes to the CCR I think im pretty much set!

Research and script for #3 question of CCR post

 Another one of these...

Get used to it! Most of my blogs will progress into only speaking over CCRs as it's getting closer to the due date...!

Anywho! CCR #3....

"How did your production skills develop throughout this project?"

-----------------------

For this CCR question I will be discussing how my production skills developed throughout the project. (who would've guessed!)

At the beginning of the project I mostly focused on the idea and storyline but as the project continued I started learning more about the 'technical side of media production'. 

One of the biggest areas where my skills developed was planning and organization. At first I thought making a timeline would be easy and could be left for later... but I was very... and VERY wrong.

I quickly realized that planning shots, locations, and props actually takes more time than expected and can't be made up completely out of day dreaming and random ideas.

When I actually began filming it was a mess, as I had a good 60% of it planned... I had to sacrifice a day of recording to really sit down and get my ideas straight (still im glad i did..)

I also improved in prop and visual planning.

 At first I didn’t realize how important small objects could be, but throughout the project I started paying more attention to details like ideas and sceneries that'd make the whole "teen" vibe more realistic, and other everyday items that make the scenes feel more 'human'

Lighting was another area where I learned more as the project continued. I experimented with using a ring light and adjusting window shades to match the mood of certain scenes, as well as having to fake many night scenes as day time (do NOT recommend... record it during the right time.)

Small changes in lighting can completely change the atmosphere of a shot so learning how to control that was an important part of my process.

But this project helped me understand that media productions isn’t just about having a good idea. It also involves planning, experimenting, and adjusting things throughout the process to make the final result what you envisioned as well as realizing not everything will go as you wanted it to,

Obviously as this is a student based project I didn't have paid actors which was a . HUGE. and may I say HUGE... variable of my vision as my actors were... not the best.

Research and Script for CCR Question #2

 hihi, Lu is back online!

Today i'll be explaining or, discussing my CCR question #2: How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

For this CCR question I will be talking about how my film opening engages the audience and also how it could be distributed if it was a real media production.    (obviously.)

Since my project is a teen drama with what I guess you could call "psychological elements"

the main audience would most likely be teenagers and young adults. Stories that focus on addiction, mental health, and just a teenage focussed life tend to connect with that audience more because those topics feel more realistic and relatable to them, naturally, luring them in.

The way my opening engages the audience is mostly through visual storytelling instead of a lot of dialogue. For example, the kitchen scene where my main character Cami is organizing pills already tells the audience a lot about her situation before anything is directly explained (which is that she is medicated). Small moments like the voicemail from her dad in the beginning with little to no reaction, or her dancing while sorting pills help show the contrast between her normal life,struggles , and her personality. 

Another way the audience is engaged is through "mystery" and curiosity. When the pills fall and she finds the small bag under the fridge that moment acts as the climax of the opening since its not explained what it is. The audience doesn’t fully know what’s happening or going to happen next which encourages them to keep watching to fully understand

If this project was a real film it would most likely be distributed on streaming platforms, since that is where most teen dramas are consumed today and I know this is a very common answer in this generation, but also social media, I have came across many youtube films or small creator films through my own algorithm on social media and videos. Platforms like streaming services or online releases allow productions to reach younger and selected audiences more easily. Social media would also play a big role in promotion with trailers, short clips, and teasers being posted online to attract the targeted  viewers.

But overall my project tries to engage the audience through emotion, curiosity and related subjects that make the story feel believable instead of overly dramatic and childish.

 For this post im going to talk about how I plan on developing my lighting scheme, since lighting is probably going to be one of the most important parts of my project.

Because my genre is a teen drama mixed with psychological elements, lighting is going to help set the tone without me having to over explain anything. I dont want the lighting to feel all bright and happy, especially in the kitchen scene. Even though she’s dancing and acting normal, the situation itself isn’t normal so the lighting needs to subtly reflect that. While still having good quality lighting.

For the bedroom opening scene, I’m thinking of using more natural and softer lighting, maybe slightly dim, so it feels calm but also kind of heavy (like the only real light source is the windows). Since the voicemail from her dad will be playing while shes in bed, I dont want the lighting to distract from that moment so keeping it simple and more natural will help the focus stay on her reaction and the audio (as well as the fact shes not moving and just laying there untill its basically over.)

In the kitchen scene, I plan on using cooler lighting tones instead of warm ones. Cooler lighting usually gives off a more serious or detached feeling which fits the theme wayy better than a warm lighting. 

I have a ring light that I can use to control brightness and direction, especially for close ups of the pills and her face, etc. The ring light will help make certain objects stand outwithout lighting up the entire room too much.

For the scene at Lexi’s house (the secondary girl, not sure if I mentioned her confirmed name has been picked as Lexi) , I want the lighting to feel more harsh and direct since theyre outside and obviously the sun is a thing also that scene is more confrontational and in a way awkward stronger lighting or sharper shadows could help make it feel slightly uncomfortable. 

I dont want it to look overly produced, but I also dont want it to look accidental. The goal is to make the lighting look intentional but still realistic

The only scene i can see myself using warm lighting is the bike scene since I want it to be captured by the sun to really show the time of day and also highlight and contrast her features 

Overall my plan is to experiment with different lighting setups before filming fully. I’ll test how the ring light looks in different positions and see how cooler vs more neutral or warm tones affect the mood. Lighting is something that can completely change the feeling of a scene so even small adjustments could make a big difference in how the final project turns out and as easy as it looks... I can tell it won't be as easy as I wish it would be.

Logo!

 Hello everyone,

I've come with some exciting updates!

I have confirmed all my characters names, plot holes, props and finally... and officially,

my logo!

Here it is:

I've decided to my logo with a theme of illumination, bright, or something in between this since for some unspoken reason the "name" 'Lumina' has always stood out to me,

Maybe it was also influenced by the meaning of 'ilumina' in Portuguese means to bright or lighten something and overall a pretty word.

Originally I wanted to do something inspired by my favorite artist, TV Girl, and planned to include one of their own characters (Valerie) and include a picture of a vintage woman's face:

But unfortunately this would've gotten copyrighted.

So here is the process of me finally creating a logo, using Canva!

link: Logo - Creating

Props - Illustrated production process

 For this post i'm going to talk about the props I’ve collected so far for my project!

Since the story focuses on Cami’s addiction, the pill bottles are really important. 

So far I have 4 pill bottles and 2 empty medicine blister packs

The pill bottles are actually from either old, expired medicine or empty bottles i've gotten around family members house and asked to take. I found some of these in an old medicine box at home. I plan on removing the original stickers and printing out a new prescription label with Cami’s name and information on it to make it look more realistic. I think small details like that will make the scene feel less fake and more believable.

The blister packs (the metallic things the pills stay in.. just learned thats what they're called) Since they’re the main focus in the kitchen as well as the bedroom scene, i plan on reusing them, and throwing them messily around to add to her character behavior/atmosphere.

Having multiple pill bottles instead of just one makes it look like something that’s been going on for a while instead of just randomly placed there or for a natural/normal use. The blister packs also help add to that effect, especially in close up shots when she’s organizing everything. Like they were just restocked or adding to her depression look.

For other props, I’m still gathering things. I’m planning on thrifting for an older looking backpack since the original backpack I was going to use broke... and for Cami so it doesn’t look brand new i dont plan on using my actual school backpack as much as I want this to look realistic I dont want it to look out of place. I also thought about using aluminum foil in the secondary character’s hair to show she’s bleaching it, since that’s an easy way to show personality without explaining it. As well I plan on getting an Amazon paper bag and covering the logo to use as the box that will be hidden under the fridge.

Overall, props are more important than I originally thought, especially for a project like this where visuals matter a lot. Even small changes like switching labels or using everyday objects can make everything feel more realistic.

ECTASY - draft script

 I finally set down a name for my film... ECTASY, as well as the drug it is also a word used to describe an overwhelming feeling of happiness which contrasts perfectly with my story!

For this post im including my script / storyboard draft for the opening of my project. This is still very rough and mostly just to map out shots, timing, and ideas. The story itself is staying the same or atleast the idea of it but things like shot order, pacing, or dialogue might change once filming actually starts or as I go on with my research and new ideas flow.

-----

ECSTASY

SHOT 1

Credits, fade of title with audio message left by her dad 

speaking of... bla bla bla, go to rehab, ill be coming home soon,

Opening –

Over long shot girl laying in bed.

Turn to the side, voice message still playing but ending

Shot from the side as she turns, 

SHOT 2

Maybe walking to kitchen? or just cut to her entering the kitchen

SHOT 3

IN kitchen, clicks play on music.

Music transitions from diegetic sound to non diegetic (sound bridge)

Dancing in the kitchen 

SHOT 4

Putting pills in.

Lots of pills.

SHOT 5

Opening something (grabbing bowl) or still dancing.

Drops pills on the ground.

sighs or curses...

Shot from the ground/under smt grabbing pills from the ground

Finds something under the fridge/tile

Shot from behind the fridge focused on her picking up the piles then the box.

takes the box out, shakes it curiously, shot now medium shot.

put it on counter and opens it

(A lot of stuff that I can use to symbolize drugs?? not sure what yet...)

Shakes it.

Looks at it weird.

“holy shit….”

(realizes what it is)

SCENE 6

Shot on bike riding with backpack.

Hair blowing on wind but not in a aesthetically way

Throws bike on ground.

Infront of a different house.

SCENE 7

Knocks on door.

Girl with a cigarette and messy hair like mid hair bleaching. (maddie)

Answers the door.

“what-“ -maddie

About to close door on her face.

Cami stops door from closing.

“wait wait wait” -cami

“hold on” -cami 

Takes drug out and shakes it a bit.

“no- I don’t car-” -maddie

“holy shit.” -maddie

Shakes head noddingly. and says under breath "thats what i said..." 

“that’s a shit ton of- (ecstasy)" Tittle shows cuts off before she can say it.-maddie 

(this will prob change as im not so sure if this is how i want the title)

“I know…”

“like a shit ton..! Camila where did you find this?” -maddie

“idk I js kind of found it.” -cami

“you js ‘kind of found’ an insane amount of drugs?” - maddie

Cami nods.

Madi finally lets her in.

---

Again, this is really rough draft of my script that I actually did mid planning of the plot, during class, so obviously its not finalized but i'm still excited about having the main idea laid out. In my head it much more detailed and flows better so this will likely be edited, as well as the language although they are 16-18 years old I dont want to curse too much otherwise it'll just seem pushy and overall unneeded.

Also if I end up thinking this might be too heavy or need to be censored i might change my idea for those reasons as well.