4232 Media Studies Blog
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Short Film - Research
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
(Very Rough) Project Schedule
Calendar of Other Important Events -
So before I get into my rough project schedule, here's a look at other important commitments I have coming up from now to April. The ones marked in RED are where I absolutely cannot do big stuff for the project cause I won't be here, and then the ones marked in YELLOW are just days where I have something, but it won't disrupt my schedule too much.
February:
2/12 - Senior Night
2/13 - Districts
2/15-2/16 - My boyfriend (Alex) is flying in for the weekend
2/22 - Regionals (Hopefully)
March:
3/6-3/8 - States (Hopefully)
3/14 - TBD FAWA Folkstyle State Championships
3/15 - Banquet
3/17-3/22 - Alex flies in again :)
For the most part, I plan to pace my work on this project based on our blogging schedule. So for these upcoming first two weeks, a lot of research is being done. I need to learn more about short films in general, and then about the comedy genre. I expect a lot of ideas to be bouncing around my brain during this time, so my project will likely evolve a lot from now to 2/23. Then, there's research on social media and the print component (which for short film is a postcard to be distributed at film festivals). During this time, I'll start pre-production planning so I'm set to keep my project running smoothly (storyboards, shot lists, contacting potential actors, etc). The week of 3/17 to 3/22 could be a good time to film/start because my boyfriend will be here and able to help me or maybe even act (in the one scene I have that requires a man lol). If not, I have my own spring break from 3/24-3/30.. but I don't like how close that's cutting it, so that might be more of a LAST resort. Blogging during the production process includes shooting schedules, screenshots of coordinating with actors, etc. Last year, in AS, I did the bulk of my work during spring break and it ended up working out, but I do remember stressing due to some external factors... (RIP my laptop). Anyways, following production is post-production, which will happen right after I film (either following the week of 3/17 or crammed in during spring break). This time I also want to be wrapping up my print component. As for social media postings, I plan to do 2-to 3 a week to build a solid platform to market the short film.
Sounds like a lot, but, I have a rough idea for how this is gonna go.
Week One (2/10-2/16)
- decide on a project
- brainstorm ideas
- start genre research
Week Two (2/17-2/23)
-more genre research
- SET MYSELF ON AN IDEA
Week Three (2/24-3/2)
- start researching social medias that fit my genre
- begin pre-production planning (storyboards, thinking of actors, shot list, etc)..
Week Four (3/3-3/9)
- make sure I'm set (scheduling/location) to film
- finalize actors/storyboard/shotlist
- any necessary research (I really want to make aesthetic intro/credits, and maybe even come up with a production tag)
- HOPEFULLY I'll be at states so the week before/after this will need to compensate
Week Five (3/10-3/16)
- try to start filming...
-research print component conventions (that fit my genre)
Week Six(3/17-3/23)
- BETTER be filming/have filmed
- if yes, start editing!
-begin researching/planning for Critical Reflection
Week Seven (3/24-3/30)
- do what needs to be done! (finish editing, credits, introduction, etc)
- have an idea for my CR/maybe even start
Week Eight (3/31-4/6)
- mostly CR
- any other changes
Week Nine (4/7-4/9)
- final post :) reflect on the project
- post all components
- post CR
- goodbye :)
More updates coming soon :)
DISCLAIMER:
Upon further consideration for my short film idea (which I mentioned in my previous post), I am worried that it won't fit the time requirements. It has to be about 5 minutes, and unlike any other idea I had, I worry this will be too short. It would be very "montage-y," but I can't do that for 4 of the 5 minutes.. so this idea is likely to change.
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
A Level Portfolio Project Choice
Hi there!
I’m beyond excited to start my final AICE Media portfolio project! It feels surreal to think about everything I’ve learned over the past year, and I can’t think of a better way to show it off. We had a big options review on Monday (2/10), and here’s what I have to choose from:
Option 1: Music Promo Package Option 2: Film Promo Package
Option 3: Documentary Package Option 4: Short Film Package
Of these four, the two that stuck out most were the documentary and short film packages. But making a final decision is much harder than it seems...
Documentary:
On one hand, I really enjoyed our documentary unit and would love to attempt one on my own. The idea I have in mind, however, would be to document the trials and tribulations that is highschool wrestling (and making a run for a state title). I take my sport very seriously though, and I worry filming could distract me or my teammates while we're at practice and tournaments. Plus, I’m not sure my coach would be on board with all the filming. That said, the portfolio project only has to be an excerpt of a bigger episodic doc, so I thought maybe I could focus on a more casual style for the introduction "episode." This could give a behind-the-scenes look at the team while allowing me to introduce myself and my teammates. And with the season ending in March and the project due in April, I could always pivot the topic to being a student-athlete more generally — especially since we’ll have some national tournaments to cover post-season.
But then there’s the wrestling schedule to consider. With practices five times a week from 3-6 PM and all-day tournaments on weekends, it can be a juggling act for me. I’ve really worked hard to balance academics and training this year, but I know it’s still going to be a challenge (regardless of what option I go with).
Short Film:
Now, as for short film ideas, I was talking with my boyfriend and we came up with a couple. My favorite ended up being a "breakup rehearsal." Picture this: a girl and her best friend practicing crazy ways for her to break up with her boyfriend — think dramatic flair, deadpan delivery, even interpretive dance. But when she finally gets to the actual breakup, he just casually replies with a laid-back “Okay, yeah.” leaving her with nothing but a stunned “THAT’S IT?” and then the film just cuts off. I’ve never done a comedy before, so this feels like a fun idea to consider.
Friday, December 13, 2024
Critical Reflection - Documentary Project
War is a sensitive subject affecting people's lives in and out of the hot seat. The documentary “A War at Home” explores how tensions in the Israel-Palestine conflict affect the lives of Palestinian high school student, Yousef Safa, despite living thousands of miles away in the United States. The purpose of this text is not to sway the audience’s opinion on the war but rather to express how the impacts of war can target those out of direct harm’s reach.
Research was arguably the most important part of developing this documentary, and it began with documentary conventions in general, as my partner, Mateo, and I had never created one before. In class, we studied several types of documentaries, including long-term productions such as American Promise, whose production spanned over 13 years; satirical ones, like Exit Through the Gift Shop; and short episodic texts (NYT op-docs). Typical conventions may vary by genre and purpose, but the consensus is to show a “slice of life.” Documentaries are often non-fiction and specific, frequently relying on interviews to progress the structure and purpose.
Then came researching the topic of the Israel-Palestine war itself; which I initially found daunting. Mateo was the group member who had a bit of background knowledge in this area, and the connection to our interviewee, but I found that I was pretty uneducated about this. I felt a bit embarrassed to be honest, that in this day and age where information is accessible at the touch of your fingertips, I had never taken the time to learn about a relevant political event that is affecting people across the world. I took this opportunity to educate myself and fill gaps in my knowledge, which was a thorough process. I examined a variety of texts, including articles, YouTube videos, and transcripted interviews. Those that proved most helpful were a brief history on YouTube by Vox, and an interview transcription with a Palestinian woman, Amal Amireh. Together, these texts gave me a solid foundation in understanding the origins of the Israel-Palestine conflict and its effects on people. The interview especially served as a model for how I could draft and structure my interview questions.
An important point to stress about the purpose of this documentary is that it is in no way, shape, or form meant to sway the political standings of the audience. While we recognize the potential bias of including only one interview, particularly with a Palestinian interviewee, the careful structure and word choice effectively address this concern. Mateo and I were very pleased that this came across to our peers. Yousef delivered an overview of the origins of the war, how it has affected people on both sides and how it has affected his personal life in the United States.
The target audience would include teenagers and young adults aged 15-25, all genders, and those interested in social justice, international affairs, human rights, and politics. The main factor determining the audience is whether or not they are or want to become educated about the current war. This makes it an expository documentary, which delivers factual information on a specific topic. “A War at Home” adheres to typical conventions in this genre as it relies on an interview, uses archival photos (when explaining the conflict’s origin), and graphics. We did however avoid narration/voice-over, or “a voice of God” because, as mentioned previously, the purpose is not to persuade. Yousef does a great job of moving the story along in this feature’s absence. Apart from some staged clips of Yousef for the introduction, most of our b-roll was graphics, photos, and videos Yousef took himself in Palestine.
Our documentary represents victims of the war’s effects both in combat zones, and other regions of the world by highlighting Yousef’s experience. In Florida, he faces prejudice for his posts online and for representing his culture at International Fest at his high school. Not only is it hard for him, and many others, to worry about family back home, but to also be hated for speaking out on his beliefs. This is why we decided on the title, for its double meaning; there is a war going on back home (Palestine), but its effects are real where Yousef lives. By providing an authentic voice, “A War at Home” gives a platform to an often marginalized and misunderstood group of people, addressing a significant and current social issue, without taking a persuasive stance.
A portion of Yousef’s commentary is spent giving historical context into the origins of the conflict. To do this in a way that kept audiences engaged and helped them to understand, we chose graphics and B-roll that reflected the explanations. The interviewee explained that the main cause of the war between Israel and Palestine was territory disputes, so we showed a graphic that visually changed to display changing territory lines. Another instance is when Yousef described witnessing a raid in his village in Palestine. To enhance this moment, we included a first-hand video taken during the raid, which added a powerful, personal connection to Yousef’s experiences and his ties to the conflict. His perspective makes the topic feel closer to the audience, as he is just an average teenager attending high school, like most of the target audience. The brevity of the documentary also makes it accessible and appealing to audiences with shorter attention spans, ensuring they stay engaged while keeping the focus on the issue at hand.
This documentary illustrates the importance of understanding the personal and global impacts of the Israel-Palestine conflict. I am proud to have worked on a piece that has an impactful message. It has not only taught me that I have a responsibility to educate myself on current affairs but also to keep storytelling and creating opportunities for others to learn.
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Crafting "A War at Home" (Production Part 2)
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Production - Interviewing Yousef
Normally, when Mateo and I team up, I handle the interviews while he takes care of the editing. He’s way faster at it than I am, and I really enjoy chatting with our subjects. But with wrestling season in full swing—practices and tournaments almost every day—I had to sit this one out, so Mateo stepped in to conduct the interview.
I had written up the questions, but I lost the document in my Google Drive, so I can’t share them here. I based a lot of them on the interview format I discussed in my research blog.
I texted Mateo afterward, and he said everything went smoothly, aside from a few minor lighting issues with the sun.
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Research + Planning for DOC
I think it's important to comment that there was a bit of content that was hard to watch or read, but I am glad that I got an opportunity to learn about this.
Short Film - Research
Hi again :) Now that I'm officially set with making a short film for my portfolio project, I need to actually UNDERSTAND what makes a gr...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwh2txIYyhM4QR-rOK8E1GxiKxsKpVKLaNZ0kLtf52AtL4C9opQj-cfUmkNPRo1wv_59EN45uZbN-BBwbyGjeY6xfTHsUTS7Z97GBmxXFa6AuZmZ8aaEwWIKBqB4zv1IPd4LklESxoyrDlf3palBRyQSXJYJrUgXhs_DkUAP3ZuG2fCggAn-40Hx0nZhU/w141-h200/Screenshot%202025-02-17%20200238.png)
-
Here's a podcast answering the first two questions. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ASUCdr9WY7xtdBPUxwy3sQJcn4SR9Waq/view?usp=sharing ...
-
Here's a link to the film opening on youtube. YouTube
-
As I keep mentioning in the past few blog posts, I had issues with my laptop. Here's what exactly happened. On Friday, March 15th, my l...