The Opening and the CCR's

The Movie Opening: The Hollow Point Opening

Creative Critical Reflection Questions 1 and 2: CCR Questions 1 and 2 

Creative Critical Reflection Questions 3 and 4: CCR Questions 3 and 4

Final Reflection on the Project.

This is the second‑to‑last blog I’ll write about this project, and all I can say is that it has truly been a journey. From creating the storyboard to filming the opening and editing everything together, it has been a wild ride. I’d first like to thank my partners, Kai and Christian, for helping create our movie opening Hollow Point. We spent around two months brainstorming how the opening would work, how we would execute it, and who would assist us. My partners worked extremely hard in helping me carry out this opening in an organized and effective way.

Next, I would like to thank my instructor, Ms. Stoklosa, for helping not only me but everyone in the class feel more confident and less nervous when filming. She taught me everything I needed to know about using Blogger, Canva, and Clipchamp, and I’m truly grateful for her guidance.

Although writing 3–5 blogs every week became irritating at the beginning of the project, the purpose of this assignment is to create a movie opening, complete a creative critical reflection, and document our progress how we did it and how we felt throughout the process.

Editing the CCR's

I finally finished editing both of my CCRs, and honestly, it felt like it took a long time for no real reason. I edit on Clipchamp, and my computer isn’t very strong when it comes to video editing. It lags a lot and buffers excessively. Even videos that should take no more than 15 minutes to edit end up taking me almost an hour because of all the lag and buffering.

The easier CCR to edit was Questions 3–4, which used the presentation format. That part was pretty simple because all I needed to do was fix the background audio, make the audio clearer, and combine the clips since Questions 3 and 4 were recorded separately. This should have taken around 5–10 minutes, but instead it took me about 30 minutes because of my computer. Other than that, Questions 3–4 were very easy to edit since it was just a presentation. I also added some fade‑ins and fade‑outs to make it look cleaner.

Questions 1–2, however, were not as easy as I expected. Since we used two phones to record our perspectives, I had to match up the audio and the exact moments we spoke so everything looked perfectly in sync. Unfortunately, this took a lot of time—around two hours to fully complete. After finally syncing the audio and video, I still had to add the extra elements I created to make it feel like a real talk show, such as an intro and a small trademark in the bottom-left corner. I also added the sources at the end as well.

The Filming Process of CCR's

This week, I finished filming my CCRs for Questions 1–4. Some parts were harder to film especially Questions 1 and 2 while others were much easier. For both CCR videos, I had to make a few adjustments because certain things didn’t go as planned. For example, in CCR Questions 1 and 2, I ended up filming from a different angle than I originally intended. I was supposed to record these CCRs much earlier, but allergies affected my whole family and delayed the process by about 3–4 days. Fortunately, I had scripts prepared for both videos, so I already knew exactly what I was going to say.

For Questions 1 and 2, I used a talk‑show format where I was the guest, and my mother was the host. Luckily, she has some experience with this type of setup, so she handled it without many issues. We also dressed appropriately for the scene. To capture both perspectives the host and the guest we filmed using two cameras.

For Questions 3 and 4, I used a presentation format and included slides to support what I was explaining. These slides featured bullet points and images to help guide the viewer. I also spoke over the presentation to make everything clearer and ensure the information flowed in a way that made sense.

Question #4 Research and Script

#4 How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in this project?

Slide 7: (Continuation from Last Question)

I used Clipchamp as my main editing software. I’ve been using it since the start of the school year, so I already knew the basics, but this project helped me use it in a more organized way. Since my computer is slow, I edited a lot on my partners’ computer, and working with Kai and Christian helped me learn new things while we edited together.

Slide 8:

I also used Canva to create visuals for my presentation and Blogger to post all my updates and CCR answers. These tools helped me stay organized and keep track of my progress.

Slide 9

For hardware, I used my partner’s camera to record all the scenes. I also used a tripod to keep the shots steady and make the footage look cleaner.

Slide 10:

To create the bright light coming out of the bag during the trance moment, we used our phones as flashlights and aimed the light inside the bag. This simple effect made the scene look more dramatic and helped sell the idea of the trance starting.

Slide 11: (removed)

I used online tools like Blogger to publish my work and websites like YouTube and Canva guide videos  to learn more about filming and production techniques. These resources helped me understand how real media creators plan and structure their projects.

Slide 12:

Overall, I integrated technology by combining software for editing, hardware for filming and effects, and online tools for research and posting. Using all three made the project easier to manage and helped me create a more polished final product.

(All Done in Canva, Around 2 and 1/2 minutes to speak)

My research for this project mainly came from what my teacher taught us about using software, hardware, and online tools in media production. We also completed small class assignments that helped me understand how editing programs, filming techniques, and online platforms work together. This made it easier for me to choose the right tools and use them correctly during the project.

Question #3 Research and Script

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

Slide 1:

Throughout this project, my production skills improved a lot. At the beginning, I originally fully understand how much planning and organization mattered, but as I worked through each stage, I started to see how every decision affected the final product.

Slide 2: 

My planning skills developed first. My partner creating the storyboard helped me think ahead and picture what each scene should look like. This made filming easier because I already knew what shots I needed and how they would fit together.

Slide 3: 

My filming skills also improved. I learned how to use angles, lighting, and framing to make my shots look clearer and more intentional. I also got better at using simple tools like my phone and a flashlight to control the mood and situation of the scene.

Slide 4: 

Editing was where I grew the most. At first, I only knew how to make basic cuts, but I learned how to adjust timing, fix audio, and create smoother transitions. I also realized how important pacing is because even small changes can affect how the scene feels.

Slide 5

Overall, this project helped me become more confident with the entire production process. I learned how to plan better, film with more purpose, and edit in a way that makes the final product look more polished.

(Around 2 Minutes to Speak, All done on Canva)

For this project, most of my understanding of production came from using Clipchamp throughout the school year. I have been editing on Clipchamp since the start of the class and used it for several projects, so I already had experience with the basics. I also learned a lot from working with my partners, Kai and Christian, because they helped teach me new things and showed me how to work faster. Since my computer is slow, I often edited on their computer, which made the process easier and helped me learn by watching them

Question #2 Research and Script

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

HOST: Now let’s talk distribution. How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

SEBASTIEN: It would start on streaming platforms, since that’s where most people our age watch short‑form and experimental content. Streaming makes it easy for the audience to discover it on their own time. Then I’d use social media to build interest. Short clips, teasers, and behind‑the‑scenes moments help people connect with the project and share it around. And honestly, the algorithm does a lot once people start interacting with it. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube push content that gets engagement, so the project can spread naturally without needing a huge marketing budget.

HOST: So you’re basically letting the internet do half the work.

SEBASTIEN: Pretty much. It’s efficient. And it doesn’t complain.

HOST: Sebastien, thanks for being here. Your project has a really strong identity, and it feels like something that could genuinely find an audience today.

SEBASTIEN: Thanks. I appreciate that.

HOST: That wraps up today’s Spotlight Session. See you next time.

(About 1 1/2 to 2 minutes) 

  Suspense increases viewer attention and emotional investment. Smith, T. J. (2012). “The Attentional Theory of Cinematic Continuity.” Projections. (Explains how withholding information increases engagement.) Inducing narrative tension in the viewer through suspense, surprise, and curiosity - ScienceDirect

 Chion, M. (1994). “Audio‑Vision: Sound on Screen.” (Foundational research on how sound creates tension and guides viewer focus.) Audio-Vision: Sound on Screen | Columbia University Press

My teacher taught me and my class a lot about how media products connect with audiences and how real films get distributed. We completed multiple research assignments, including PowerPoints, essays, and written reflections, and all of this helped me understand the topic better and make stronger decisions for my own project.

 

Planning for CCR Production Ideas.

I’ve already planned how I’m going to answer Questions #1–4 for my CCR. For Questions #1 and #2, I’m using a talk‑show format featuring my mother as the host and me as the guest. The segment will start with her introducing me onto the show, followed by some casual conversation about my day and how I felt about creating my film opening. After that warm‑up, she’ll transition into the actual CCR questions. The first question she’ll ask is, “How does your product use or challenge conventions, and how does it represent social groups or issues?” The second will be, “How does your product engage with audiences, and how would it be distributed as a real media text?”

To make the talk show more engaging, I’m planning to include photos that support what I’m talking about, along with background music to avoid awkward silence. Since some of my responses will be humorous, I also want to add a laugh track at certain moments. Below is the table where my mother and I will be performing the talk‑show scene.

For Questions 3 and 4, I am planning to create a slideshow presentation to answer them. I think a presentation works better for these questions because it lets me show more information to the people watching. For Question 3, which asks how my production skills developed throughout the project, the presentation helps me organize my growth step by step using pictures. It lets me show my progress visually, and I can include screenshots of my editing and planning.

For Question 4, which asks how I integrated technologies such as software, hardware, and online tools, a presentation allows me to include screenshots of the technology I used, like cameras, flashlights, and phones. I can also show behind‑the‑scenes photos, tripod setups, and other examples of my process. This format makes it easier to highlight my workflow visually. I will be creating the presentation on Canva.

The Foley Production Process

When planning for our movie opening, me and my partners wanted to create uniqueness in our story by implementing one thing, foley sounds. Foley sounds are the art of creating and recording everyday sounds effects to replace or enhance sounds that were captured on set. We made these sounds, so they are performed in sync and make the opening feel natural, detailed and immersive.

We created simple but effective sounds such as regular walking, a zipper noise, car doors and getting out of cars. My partner Kai created these sounds for us fortunately and even sent us drafts that we can observe to see if it's well or not. He created this simply being in a slight hollow room (bathroom) and used a variety of items to create sounds. For example, for walking, he grabbed two shoes and simply created the walking motion by slapping them on the ground repetitive. For the zipper, he simply just opened a duffel bag from a zipper.

If you want to see the examples of the foley sounds of how they were created, look at the some of videos below. (Click the Link)

Foley Sounds - Google Drive