CCR Blog

 Google Doc Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-49xBK3KpwlgtpbShQoPohC9JY2uIFEmOUh7zlU7uKA/edit

1. How does your product use or challenge conventions AND how does it represent social groups or issues?

After looking at my research blog and then the conventions my group and I had typed, I’d think we did what was in the genre. The genre of the original video the group looked at was in the pop genre. Most pop videos that I’ve watched in the past always have a dramatic or intense storyline. For example, heartbreaks, family loss, car accidents, murders, etc. The vibrant colors, energetic movement, and mood of the music video perfectly complement the song's catchy beats. The music video the group researched reflected the theme of heartbreak. As Shawn sings, a sympathetic backstory for the video is created as he talks about his difficulties coping with a recent breakup. The music we created had a similar theme which was heartbreak but in friends. My music video for the song "Stitches" emphasizes the pop perception of the song and provides a lively and captivating visual interpretation of the well-known melody. I worked hard, together with my group, to hold onto the feeling of heartbreak—but not the romantic kind, but the heartbreak of friendship. It depicts how, in a trio, two of the girls consistently make fun of and exclude the other. In the music video, it portrays the “Circle of friendship” dynamic. The video represents people and their friendships however one of the people in said friendship feeling excluded from everything. It shows the subtle hints of social groups, providing the experiences and emotions the characters go through. In order to portray the emotional impact of exclusion, the camera work and editing accentuate the changing dynamics by emphasizing body language and facial expressions. The music video portrays the subtle aspects of interpersonal relationships which not only fits the song's theme but also offers a thought-provoking and realistic reflection on the complexity of the "Circle of Friends."

2. How does your product engage with audiences AND how would it be distributed as a real media text?

The video that my group and I created is a pop music video that many people don’t think to make. When hearing the word “heartbreak”, many think of relationship heartbreaks. However, in the video made, the group decides to take on a trio friendship’s heartbreak. In the recent generations, it’s seen that the issue of excluding and making people feel left out is a big thing. In my experience, I have dealt with many situations like this. I have been the person being excluded and sometimes unintentionally being the person leaving the others out. Many people can relate to this like I do and watch the video. Overall, I feel like this video would attract a lot of people since the music relates to the situation going on. The Stitches music video represents a sad hurt feel which is then presented in the music video my group and I made. If this was a professional video, I feel like this would be published on Youtube. I say this because of the fact that it’s a pop music video with a catchy beat that will get the attention of many users on the app. Pop music is also a very popular genre these past years that has influenced the world in many ways. 

3. How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

My production skills were not at all good at the beginning of this project, if I'm being honest.  I’m a beginner when it comes to camera or video stuff because I’ve always found it difficult. Before this project, I had never recorded or been part of a production. I've learned a lot of essential production skills from this project, such as editing, utilizing technology, developing production plans, and taking quality shots. I learned what all these new vocabulary media terms like close up, tracking shot, split screen. In the present day, it’s seen that most media are fueled by technology so it’s good that I learned some skills. Coming up with an idea for the video was confusing as each member wanted to do something differently. This was solved by each group member explaining their plan and story and then voting. When creating the music video, many shots were taken to see which one looked better. For example, the group took long shots and also close up shots to debate and see which one would fit the video better. When Mia goes into the water, the group wasn’t sure whether to use a close up to show how she looks or a long shot to show her and the surroundings. Another example was the group deciding which lighting would look better. The group did a take with normal lighting in a room and then a take with more light by opening the blinds for the first few scenes. By these decisions being made, I knew that this project had influenced me to start planning and  making solid plans about the stuff I would do.

4. How did you integrate technologies - software, hardware and online - in this project?

Many forms of technology were integrated in this project. To film, Jenna’s phone was used to record all the scenes since she had more storage. To edit and blog, the computer and phone were used because I could access the blogs on both devices. The computer wasn’t the only thing used for editing. Editing apps like Capcut and the editing section from the camera app on the phone. We used our phones to film with this project because none of us own any proper filming equipment. A cell phone was our only option for filming the project, however we were able to make a perfectly good video with it. Blogger was used in order to keep progress of the music video project. It’s an easy way to stay organized and plan ahead, all you need to do is enter a google account. It’s also the way the teachers in the AICE Media class grade students.. The group chose Capcut because of the research done for the Research and Planning Blog earlier in the process. The group looked into many editing apps but they weren’t the right fits. These apps needed an expensive subscription that the group couldn’t afford. As the research on editing apps went on, the group came across I-Movie and Capcut. The members compared the two and decided on Capcut because it’s free, easy to learn, helpful and convenient. Then the Capcut skill learning began as the group looked at many Youtube tutorials on how to make and edit videos.