The Struggle of Editing

     Our editing process was supposed to start on October 29th. Unfortunately, our editing process came to a halt. Our editing process was postponed due to technical difficulties with the school computers. Luckily, the computers worked for our dumping process. It is kind of annoying to know I can't start editing the commercial. we were able to watch the clips back. After watching the clips back I got a sense of what clips were going to make the final commercial. Since the computers aren't working I'm trying to think of ways that we could start editing the commercial. We were considering editing on another laptop. We were going to start executing this but we were informed that our class was going to be provided with other laptops.
     Since we couldn't start editing or commercial, we were advised to save our clips onto an alternative source. We were told to do this because if the computers got replaced we wouldn't have our footage. So today in class, i came in and went straight to the computers. Once my computer loaded up, I went to the folder with all my footage. After opening the folder with my footage I saved it to me USB drive. After all my footage was saved, i safely ejected my USB drive from the computer. Another task that we have to do are these Daily blogs. With the computers not working properly, this blogging process is really difficult. It is difficult to do the blogs because since we aren't editing there is not much to write about. Another factor that makes writing these blogs difficult, is the fact that the computers are being really slow.
     Originally, the computers were only slow. As time went on, the became even slower. The apps on the computer started to become unusable. Some of the apps won't even open or load. One of the apps the apps being Pinnacle Studios. Pinnacle Studios is the editing software that we were going to use to edit the commercials. Once it was time to edit, the software loaded but it wouldn't let me import our footage into the software. After multiple tries it still didn't work. After so many attempts the editing software eventually didn't even work. Luckily, we did as we were told and saved our footage on a USB drive before the whole computer gave up on me.

Filming

On October 23, my group members an I were scheduled to film our commercial. As soon as we walked into, class I headed over to where the sign out sheets for the camera equipment were.  Once the sign out she was fully completed, I headed over to the room with all the camera equipment.  Once I checked out a camera, tripod, and SD card. I gathered my group members, and we headed out toward the track, which is the designated location for the filming of our commercial.  We chose the track because we were doing a track race themed commercial. Once we arrived to the track we noticed that many other groups were doing a sports related commercial. This meant that there would be a lot of competition when it came to the commercials and many people in the way of our shots. When it came to the actual filming of the commercial, I played a vital role in the structure, ideas, and being a part of the actual commercial.  I planned what was going to happen in the commercials, and I also acted out and was a part of the scenes in the commercial.

To initiate the actual filming process, I figured out how to use the camera and tripod.  I was the one that set the camera up by inserting the SD card.  After putting the SD card in the camera, I took the tripod out and set it up.  I set up the tripod because I thought it would have been a smart idea to film the scenes with a stationary camera first.  It exactly worked, and it actually worked pretty efficiently.  Another group member of mine and I took part  being actors in our commercial. While our last group member, took the role of filming. My group members and I repeated each of the scenes a couple times so that we make sure we had the right shot.  Our shots that were filmed stationary, consisted of actual running taking place, preparation of the runners, and the start and finish of the race. After recording all of the stationary shots,  we packed up the tripod. After packing up the tripod, we went on and started filming all of our tracking shots.

Once our designated Videographer,  was ready, my filming partner and I started to get ready to act in the scenes where the camera was not stationary.  Most of these scenes were a part of the intro and the ending of the commercial.  For the first seen it was a scene of me walking onto the track. The next scene, was of me lacing up my shoes.  After we finish that scene, we started filming the scenes where my partner and I were actually running. These scenes consisted of small pans  the camera had to do to capture the whole clip of us running.  The last clip that was found for our commercial,  what’s a shot of my partner and I after we were done racing doing a nice little handshake and walking off the track. Once we acquired all of our footage, we grabbed our stuff, and packed up the camera.  Once we are all packed up and ready to go, We headed back to class  and to change.  All of my group members and I were really sweaty due to the heat out on the track. So for us going back into class was a blessing. Once we arrived back in class, I grabbed the sign-up sheet for the camera, the tripod, and the SD card. I turned it in to the return folder as I gave my teacher the camera equipment back. Another thing that I did when I arrived in class was dump or footage onto the computer so that we would have a next class start editing.

Storyboarding

Today in class, we storyboarded our commercial. Our group is doing a Nike commercial, and it will be about a track race. Our first scene of our commercial is a tracking shot of the two racers walking toward the track. Our next scene is the racers lacing up there shoes. The angle and shot of this scene will be a close-ups shot and a high angle. For our third scene, it will be the racers lining up at the line.  On the fourth scene. It will be a long shot followed by a tracking shot because the racers will actually be running in this scene. I’m the fifth scene, the runner will be running through the line and it will be a long shot/ high angle. On the last scene of the commercial it will be a shot of the racers shaking hands. This will be recorded by a medium shot with a eye leveled angle. 

Editing

     Today in class, we went over on how to use the camera and the equipment, how to export the film to the desktop, and how to use Pinnacle Studios. First we went over simple directions on how to use the camera. For instance, to turn on the camera you can simply just flip out the camera screen. We learned where the SD card slot is located along with the record button. We were also taught how to take out the SD card. To do this you simply just push on the SD card and it should pop out again. Something else that we went over was, how to use the equipment that goes along with the camera. For example, a tripod will be provided and we went over on how to put the camera on it and take it off the tripod. We also went over on how to raise or lower the tripod. You can do this by turning the crank on the tripod to rise it, and crank it to the other direction to lower it. We also established that the camera should never be on the tripod when moving or carrying it.
     Next thing we went over was on how to get the film from the camera to the computer. We learned that the term dumping is Also known as the transferring of film to the computer. Our teacher suggested that we should also put our film on a USB drive, so we can edit wherever we go. She told us to dump our film onto the desktop of the computer and create a folder which would contain the film. After learning how to dump the film, we went over on how to open or find the film. The instructions she gave us were to go to the folder that contains our film. Then open it up, and click on the DCIM section. After clicking on the DCIM you film should be there and be ready for you to select them. If this is not the case our teacher also went over an alternative way to find the film. Instead of going to the DCIM section, we would go to the Private folder. Once we are in the private folder we would click the AVCHP folder. In this folder we should se a section where it says Stream. Once we see the stream section, we should click on it to be able to see the film that’s on our computer.
      After going over the procedures of dumping and how to locate your film, we discussed the process of editing. The software we shall be using is called Pinnacle Studios. To start editing here we shall go to edit section and click start a new movie. Once we are in Pinnacle studios and ready to edit, we need to select our takes and import them into the software. Once the clips of video were in the editing software we went over the tracks. The tracks are where you are able to edit the film. We concluded that Track 1 is for the title of the film. Track 2 is for the film itself. Also we learned that track 3 is for the audio. Once you are done editing you should save your movie and watch it over to make sure it’s smooth and enjoyable.

Planning

     Today, we were assigned to get in our groups and start planning our commercial. Julia, Dani, and I decided that we were going to do a Nike commercial. Our initial plan for this commercial is to have a track running themed commercial. Our idea was to go out to the track and have two people run and have them wearing Nike gear. If the day we were scheduled to film was rainy, and we were unable to go out the track, our backup plan would be to film on the stair of the school. So, instead of doing a track race themed commercial we could do a track runner training to get faster by running the stairs. Next class on the 15th of October we are supposed to we are scheduled to storyboard our commercial, so that we know exactly what our commercial will entail. 

Props:

We are going to have Nike Water bottles and Bags. (not many props are needed)

Costumes:

All subject will be dressed in Nike Apparel, such as: Shoes, Socks, Shirts, Shorts, and Headbands.

Schedule: 

10/11/19: Plan our Commercial

10/15/19: Storyboard our Commercial 

10/22/19: Film Commercial

10/24/19: Edit Commercial

Locations: 

Main Location: Schools Track

Backup Location: Schools main stairs 

Back-Up Plan:

Our back-up plan for filming is to film the subject running the school stairs as if they were training. The Props, Costumes, and Schedule shouldn't change at all. The only difference would be the change in location. 

Research Conventions and Codes

Today, we started discussing our groups and topics of our commercial. We are given a choice between different businesses or companies like Starbucks or Dunkin’ donuts, or a Fort Lauderdale High School commercial. There is also an option to do an anti-vaping campaign. With further discussion between Julia, Dani and I, we have decided to do a Nike commercial. At first we debated between Nike and Dunkin’ donuts, but we figured if we would film at the track at school, Nike would be much easier. We agreed that Nike would be much easier, and we all have the most ideas for this topic. We have done our research and looked up multiple commercials that have previously been created by Nike. All of which contain ideas that would relate to us and be easy to make. 

In the first Nike commercial that we collectively watched, it started with an ariel view of a soccer stadium. It shows who the main character of the commercial will be about, and where it takes place. Within the first 10 seconds, it shows the concepts of teamwork and fellowship. All of the character are in Nike apparel, in proper costume to fit the setting. As they are in a soccer stadium, they are in their uniforms which we are making sure to include in our commercials. Following, it is portraying the conflicts between the players within the game and action shots or videos of the actual event taking place. The end of the commercial is showing the audience that anything is possible, and that there is a deeper message within each video. The girl being constantly shown through the commercial ends up succeeding, and it is shown when she scores the final goal. 

After watching these commercials we have many ideas as to what we can possibly create for this commercial. Our first idea was to film it outside of school where we can get an interesting location. However, after reading the rules and expectations, we are not allowed to film outside of our school. The place within our school that would make the most sense to film at would be our track, so we decided to have a running/track themed commercial, wearing all nike. Our commercial will show that Nike can assist in reaching our goals, and succeeding in physical activity, specifically running. We will include Nike shirts, shorts, shoes and socks. We are also aiming to include props that are also branded with Nike, such as water bottles.

Introductory

   

    

Hey, my name is Jorge, I’m a sophomore and I attend School in Fort Lauderdale, FL. I'm a Florida native and I have lived in Fort Lauderdale my entire life. I enjoy playing sports and spending time with family and friends. I have been playing soccer since I was 4 years of age. I'm currently playing on the school team and I also play for a club team. My goal with soccer is to get a scholarship from it and/ or even go pro. Knowing that the possibilities to play Professional soccer are slim due to their being millions of players around the world, I also have a backup which is becoming a professional in the Business industry.

In school I try my best to do my best in each class. My future depends on how well I do in school. My freshman year in high school I took 3 AICE classes and passed the exams to all of them. This school year I'm taking 4 of them and If I pass the AICE exams for all these classes, I will be fortunate enough to receive the AICE Diploma and the benefits that come with it. I also, plan on receiving the bright future scholarship by doing the required amount of service hours . My goal by the end of high school is to be accepted to the University of Florida.

At the University of Florida, I'd like to study in the Administration of Business. Becoming a professional in this field will help me extremely with achieving my goal, which is to do well and become successful in the E-commerce world. I want to be able to live a really laid back and good lifestyle as well as provide for my family and get rid of their worries. Once, I become successful I'd like to travel the world and enjoy life to the fullest. It would be an even greater blessing if I were able to do this with my family and my friends which I know will always be there for me.